Streaming service Netflix has fought back at claims from the Duchess of Sussex’s camp that she was ‘used’ to promote the crime drama series The Gentlemen, amid speculation she would be joining the cast
Netflix has hit back at claims that Meghan Markle was ‘used’ by the streaming giant to promote the series The Gentlemen, after rumours swirled that she was joining the cast.
In the weeks before the Duchess of Sussex moved back to the UK, speculation grew that she would be returning to her acting roots with a role in the crime drama programme. Talks of her debut in the show have since been shot down, with a friend of Meghan’s now claiming that she believed she was ‘used’ to ‘help promote’ the second series, which aired at the same time the rumours began.
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However, Netflix has since taken aim at the allegations, with the suggestion being roundly dismissed by those close to the production. “This is not a show in need of stunt casting,” an insider told The Times.
A friend of Meghan’s told the Telegraph that the Duchess’ fame, and the news that she was moving back to Britain, were used by the Netflix programme to help generate buzz for the second series.
“Some people in her camp feel she was used to help promote season two, because they knew it wasn’t as good as the first season and had already commissioned a third [series],” a source told the publication.
The source went on to add: “It’s the oldest marketing trick in the book: get a big name to read a script, then leak that you’re ‘in conversation’ with them when, in reality, nothing is particularly far along.
“The whole thing left a bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp’s mouth. Needless to say, Netflix got what it wanted: huge viewing figures for season two and a lot of publicity.”
Viewing figures from Barb, the official ratings agency, show that audiences dropped by around 15 per cent from the first series’ debut episode, which was streamed by 3.5 million people in March 2024. These figures declined by 500,000 for the latest series.
But it appears that director Guy Ritchie wasn’t impressed with the talks about Meghan joining the cast. “Really?” was Guy’s first response after hearing of the speculation. A source told The Sun that the 58-year-old went on to rule out any future appearances by Meghan. He is reported to have said: “Not a chance.”
While it is unlikely Meghan will be making an appearance on The Gentlemen, a source close to the Duchess recently told Hello! Magazine that she is ready to ‘stick her head above the parapet’ and consider acting work in the UK, while also remaining committed to her charity work and her lifestyle brand As Ever.
The friend said: “Her diary is full. It’s the kids, As Ever, acting and then supporting good causes in whatever time she has left over. But she’s got a really good team around As Ever, the children are a bit older, they are both in school full time.
“They’ve got the kids settled. Archie and Lili are really enjoying school. She is able to now stick her head above the parapet a little bit more. It’s a case of having a little bit more time to re-look at her original career, her vocation as an actor.”
The insider continued: “She’s looking at loads of acting offers. She’s meeting a lot of writers and creatives, and reading a lot of scripts. If there’s anything that stands out as being amazing, then then she’ll do it.”
If Meghan landed a new acting role, it would be her first high-profile acting job since appearing in the US legal drama Suits, where she played paralegal Rachel Zane. As well as Suits, the Duchess also made guest appearances on shows including CSI: Miami and 90210, but said she had retired from acting in 2018 when she married Harry.
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